Nokia, Nintendo, Netflix and E-Ink respond to the iPad
By Paul Miller 
posted January 30th 2010 8:34PM
posted January 30th 2010 8:34PM
- Nokia's Mark Squires, Head of Social Media, was mainly confused by Apple's statement that it's the biggest mobile device manufacturer, surpassing Nokia in combined revenue on media players, phones and laptops. Mark argues that the accepted definition for "mobile devices" excludes laptops, and goes on to mention the undisputed fact that Nokia's still number one when it comes to number of devices sold.
- Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, meanwhile, says that mobile devices aren't a priority for his company yet. They're fighting the good fight of the large screen, and once they feel comfortable in their various efforts there, then they'll move on to small screens. Netflix hasn't done or submitted an iPhone application, but Hastings did mention that he was optimistic that if Netflix did get into the game, the app would be approved for the App Store, and that it would run on both the iPhone and iPad.
- Satura Iwata, president and CEO of Nintendo, took a much more directly critical approach to the device, calling it a "bigger iPod Touch," and that Apple delivered "no surprises." In the same interview he expressed skepticism as to the value of bringing a high definition Wii on the market, as well as expressing doubts about 3D glasses-based gaming. Iwata is clearly a tough man to please.
- Perhaps most threatened by the iPad is Russ Wilcox, CEO of E-Ink. He says dedicated e-readers will outsell iPads due to "simple economics," and that the iPad is "great entertainment device," but it's "not the world's best reading device." His criticisms, mostly in juxtaposition to Kindle-style devices, abound, including price, weight, backlight and so on. He's right on the money about the shortfalls of a straightforward comparison, but we wonder if consumers will feel the same?
Oooh Oooh! I've got my popcorn ready this time. Let the flaming begin!
@DarwinianReject
Boring. Not one person said, "Its a piece of s###".
@DarwinianReject I think Apple is fighting too many wars and making so many enemies, hopefully it will never come back and bite them in the ass.
They could have put a nail in a couple coffins with the ipad but strangely they decided not to, probably just wanna keep the fight longer and sweeter.
Sony loves it and says it will help PSP sales.
Nokia is not worried since are in for quantity.
Netflix doesn't care at the moment.
Nintendo sounds too defensive, never been like that since the PSP launch.
E-ink seems to be taking in water. Need to bring costs down to survive.
@credo I said it was a piece of shit.
@credo
Nokia is piece of shit for making shitty phones that are slow as ****
symbian ftl
Poor Itawa, calling the iPad a bigger iPod. Disingenuous or clueless? Hopefully the latter, for Nintendo's sake.
As for the others, it is understandable that they would take this opportunity to remind the world that they do indeed exist.
"Satura Iwata, president and CEO of Nintendo, took a much more directly critical approach to the device, calling it a "bigger iPod Touch," and that Apple delivered "no surprises." In the same interview he expressed skepticism as to the value of bringing a high definition Wii on the market, as well as expressing doubts about 3D glasses-based gaming. Iwata is clearly a tough man to please."
The irony being Iwata's company just released a bigger DSi with no surprises. And released the VirtualBoy years prior.
@Bedlight
You don't count. You're not a CEO. I only care what CEOs think, that's how I make all my major purchasing decisions.
These companies are scared shitless; they know Apple has the momentum and great execution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_EcybyLJS8
@JeanMichel Decombe it runs iPhone/iPod touch OS, doesn't make calls, though it has net access. How is it not a bigger iPod? It's an iPod touch plus? Stop drinking he Mac koolaid.
While there is nothing wrong with the iPod touch. Actually, I've always wanted a bigger screen for watching videos, I can use stereo bluetooth for music to keep it in my laptop bag on my commute to work. I could watch tv/movies on my way back... oh wait, Apple doesn't allow tv tuners so I can record last night shows then watch them the next day. That's my only beef with Apple.
@DarwinianReject
The Engadget Site have been infected with a Virus Called "Appletis" Forcing it to Auto post a milion Apple Post in every Apple event and include wolrds like Apple, IPhone, iPod, Mac and lately iPad in every single damn post !!
Please don't blame the editors.
@Extinction
The DSi XL isn't advertised by Nintendo at all. It's just a remake for people who need a slightly larger screen to see. They advertise that its to show the game more to people around you but you know it's for older people and mothers.
Nintendo doesn't talk about the DSi XL, only the DSi
@Extinction Yeah but the DSi XL wasn't marketed as a revolutionary device, was it?
@Extinction
"Virtual Boy"... hilarity ensues.
@Extinction I read this and it made me laugh, your right on the money. then Again the virtual boy never happened right? Or according to Nintendo it didn't.
@Atkins
Laptops are portable devices. Cell phones are mobile devices.
Wikipedia:
"A mobile device (also known as cellphone device, handheld device, handheld computer, "Palmtop" or simply handheld) is a pocket-sized computing device, typically having a display screen with touch input or a miniature keyboard."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_device
If you make a laptop that folds to a pocketsized device then it would be a mobile device.
@credo
Yes yes... That would please me....
@newone
Good luck folding a Macbook into your pocket.
@Extinction I hope you're not serious. It should be really obvious those situations are different. It's like if Toyota releases the 2011 Camry but Honda whispers that they're working on a HUGE project. Then they hype it up BIG time (most important thing they've ever done, etc). Then they announce the 2011 Honda Accord. Way too much hype went into a product that's a super big iPod Touch.
Look, I think everyone can agree that the iPad looks really nice and would be awesome to use. But I think everyone can agree that it was a huge disappointment in that with all the hype we expected MUCH more. iPad version 3 might be something, but the problem is the major reasons that makes the iPad a piece of crap are things Apple has known for a long time and is likely not going to change. (Multi-tasking, flash, crappy notifications).
@nicholaelaw
If there's people that still claim macbooks are portable devices I can give them a hand.
Just bring your macbook, and I will fold it into a mobile device with industrial 35 ton press. You will have to do the unfolding.
@NYNY the DSi xl is magical so cut the man some slack
@spacemanspork Even Hitler thinks its a disappointment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_EcybyLJS8
@Atkins
it would be interesting to see the gap in revenue from pure mobile device, which would be phones and iPods for apple v nokia. Clearly apple was talking revenue since it was in the context of them being a $50b company.
As per nokias earnings report the avg revenue per phone is $63. I bet apples is at least 3x or 4x that. so apple is certainly close to the top just on iPhone and iPod sales alone.
@newone Do you even read the articles you cite? I'm not saying that I agree with the wiki that a Notebook PC is a type of mobile device, but it would appear that you looked up the wiki for mobile device and then only read the first paragraph.
@spacemanspork
Think about this every single crappy tablet out there right now has flash n multitask. N they blow hard. I see u have been silenced.
@Atkins
I read the whole article ad noted the mention of laptops. Was actually expecting this counterclaim.
Laptops are mentioned in that list as there have been laptop type devices that fit into pocket. Toshibe Libretto for example.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toshiba_Libretto
But I havent seen any apple laptops that fir into pocket. I know that they joke americans are fat, but i doubt there are many that fat that have pockets big enough for 12 inch laptops.
@Xega
They were scared shitless, untill they saw theiPad.
Now, they're pissing themselves laughing.
@Atkins
So anything with computer that you can take with you is a mobile device? Then Caterpillar inc is the biggest mobile device manufacturer in more than one category as every vehicle they manufacture has a computer.
Read the first paragraph. It has the definition of a mobile device.
Did you know that elephants are mouse like creatures? Theyre ancestor is a mouse like creature. That doesnt make them mice tho.
Mobile device is a device that you can fit into a pocket. Anything you carry with you in a bag isnt one. If you start to stretch the term to bag then most desktops become portables too. My schoolbag could have fitted one with monitor and accessories easy.
@DarwinianReject
What the hell is Nokia in a tizzy about? Apple could practically buy Nokia with its cash reserves. Nokia should just start producing some decent smartphones and cut some of it's thousand cellphone lineup and earn some real money instead of suing to get easy money.
Everyone knows that Nokia is always bragging about having the largest market share by selling $25 cellphones to the poverty-stricken countries, but they're probably losing money on every sale. What's so great about that?
@Atkins
Do a google search for "Mobile device industry" and you will see what the industry considers as mobile devices.
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/34195.php only cellphones
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=6&ved=0CCQQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.letsgomobile.org%2Fen%2F3392%2Fmobile-device-market-trends%2F&ei=hw1lS7H6MNHS-Qb9q4SnBw&usg=AFQjCNHOkT15xo50EU01EM30O3VVYI50Og&sig2=MRDF3zx91iM-NgrcYkirfg more cellphones...
You claim that the definition to exclude nonpocketable laptops from mobile devices isn't widely accepted. So where is it widely accepted that laptops are mobile devices? Anywhere else than apples pressreleases?
@Atkins
"I am not basing my argument on wide acceptance but on a definition from the dictionary."
So where is the dictionary that says laptops are mobile devices, but Caterpillars arent? I have tryed to search for dictionary that defines mobile device to incude large scale laptops but havent found any. Only one I've found is redrection to Handheld computing on McGraf-Hill technical dictionary -> laptops excluded.
You can hardly use the websters definitions of "mobile" and "device" combined, or if you do caterpillars are mobile devices too. They even have a M2M modems so they might even be internet devices too. :)
Adobe uses term mobile device only for phones: "Adobe Reader for mobile devices " for symbian, palmos or pocketpc. Skype, no laptops. Apple has "Apple Mobile Device Service" and its used only for iphones or ipod touches, not for laptops.
There is a lot used term in economics "mobile device industry" that doesnt include laptop makers. Do a search for example "mobile device industry in decline". You will only get mentions of cellphones.
@Atkins
Man, laptops are not "mobile" devices , they are not.
well... you are correct, they are mobile devices in USA, where a laptop might be called mobile, and a mobile called a cellular.
However, S.J. said he is the biggest Mobile device company in the world. (not perfect quote).
in the world, in which case, the definition of device is the one used in the world.
in which case, they are billion ++ people in the world, over 4 billion mobile users (mobile as in TELEPHONE over wireless network GSM / CDMA...) and 300 million ++ cellular users that might have a laptop or(mobile computer.
so indeed, he might be the biggest seller of "mobile devices" in USA, but in the world, he is not.
but for the sake of arguing: apple sales in 2009 (taking the 4th and best quarter and multiplying by 4 (overestimates)
2.6 million Macintosh® computers (quotes from APPLE , so not MOBILES in their own reports, link below.
10.2 million iPods
iPhones sold were 5.2 million
that would make: 18 million x 4 = 72 million units, that their own report does not call mobile in any way.
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/07/21results.html
NOKIA:
http://www.nokia.com/about-nokia/financials/quarterly-and-annual-information/q1-2009
about 90 million mobiles (Per quater that is) = 270 million in a year.
oh and before you ask , a dumbphone IS a mobile
What, no statement from Steve Ballmer yet? That's the comedy gold I'm waiting for...
@Atkins
fair play to you.
the part below is not turned towards you, really, but mainly for information.
mobile is indeed a broad definition that would encompass many things, even non-gadget ones.
when placing S.J. sentence into context, even taking his wide definition, we are talking about gadgets.
in this case, the dictionnaries do not keep up to date with the changes, at least the official ones, for the english language.
now each term has a widely accepted use, worldwide (and I did live in 35 countries in the past 10 years, working in telecomms)
how would one call a dect phone without a wire: cordless, or wireless as a common use from the first ones sold, called that way. although wireless on it's own is not precise enough: "hand me your wireless" "?????" , however cordless is enough by itself, "can you hand me the cordless? " in many countries the answer would go: "sure , here dial 9 to get out"
then computers: the laptops were the portable computers, becoming the : portable , in most of the world that is (NOTE: in france portable is the mobile phone, ordinateur portable would be a laptop) , anways from portable computer it became portable. to the poitn where desktop replacements (a bit bigger derived their name from it, : transportable.
a bit the same as calling tissues: Kleenex.
the radio phones in the 80's were called portable phones.
that brings a trend, already
in 92, the first GSM networks in europe, the handsets were called: mobile phones, spread around the world, and mostly became: mobile.
same an ipod, most of people I know will tell, can I borrow your Ipod, even if they know my MP3 player is not apple (in fact it is , but this is for example)
a language evolves, and once a word is used by most of people, and understood in a certain way by everybody then that acceptance will be the key.
just test this anyone: go to a friends' house, or a friend at your place.
make sure the mobile phone and the laptop are side y side on the desk.
and from the other side of the room, ask him/her can you disconnect, or can you bring me my mobile.
and see what device they will take.
then try again (another person)
mobile in the jacket, laptop on the desk, from another room: can you bring me my mobile.
I expect the answer, close to 100% to be: where is it, I can't find it, while facing the laptop.
I'd really like to see the results.
note 2Atkins : I did appreciate your stance, no flame there, nice one.
@Atkins
There is a accepted definition for mobile device, and it excludes laptops. I have been asking you to produce a link or a quote where laptops arre mobile device as it is understood in industry.
It is only your impression that laptops are mobile devices. Your reasoning being that they are movalbe -> mobile and deviices so mobile device. But as I have shown with that logic caterpillar produces a heck of a lot mobile devices too.
Here's a exercise for you to see how world uses the term "mobile device". Do a google image search for "mobile device". Then come back if you find a 12 inch laptop in those pictures. I did, and in 50 pages, thats 1000 images with only one miniature PC, and no 12" laptops. That's how the world uses the term "mobile device".
If you wish to still claim that laptops are mobile devices i wish you would give some other reasoning than "because I say so" and thats how understan the word to mean. I could claim that for exaple apple inc means "Cow apple in incredible prices" and keep saying that thats what it means till the cows come home. We haven't seen anything else but "laptop is mobile device because I say so" arguments.
I have been trying to find some instance where mobile devices term is consistently used for laptops, but have come short. You might describe a laptop as a mobile device, but so could a excavator be described as one too. Mobile device as a term is mostly used for cellphones, never laptops.
Its like you can say a fruits color is orange, like pineapples are orange colored, but that doesnt make them oranges. Maybe your mixing the up the term "mobile device" and desciption "mobile device" same way. As ive said a bulldozer is a mobile device, but no mobile device is bulldozer.
@Atkins
But the dictionary doesnt say so. There is no dictionary that says mobile devices are laptops.
You say it says so, but have you really checked?
@ Amnak
Apple Pippin.
@Atkins
Oh, forgot to add. My argument isn't just because I say so if you check. I have given links where it is used as I say, and google searches which give results that back up my claims. I have seen no similar aproach by you.
@credo
One man's trash is another's man treasure. However, in the case of ipodx4. No right minded person would buy it to even trash it.
@Atkins
I always thought laptops were portable computers, not mobile ones.
Anyway, if Nokia sold 20 million smartphones last quarter then didn't they still beat Apple in terms of volume?
@Atkins
You are wrong. Accept it. For further arguments: look for the definition of intelligence quotient. You will see, the definition for intelligence and quotient does not the definition for intelligence quotient (because it's not a real quotient anymore).
(This example was not choosen to insult you!)
@Atkins The is one massive flaw in your argument no-one else seems to have brought up. Using the pure dictionary definitions of "mobile" and "device", I can unquivocably state that a corkscrew is a mobile device, a ratchet screwdriver is a mobile device, a watch is a mobile device. Apple doesn't make any of these. Fact of the matter is Steve Jobs wasn't talking about "mobile" "devices" because he would have no way in the world to know Apple were the biggest manufacturer in that preposterously large arena. He was talking about "mobile devices", and the ONLY way you can POSSIBLY take that is to mean the industry-defined version of cellphones and PMPs, but he bundled laptops in there for good measure.
You say there is no dictionary definition for "mobile device" and yet spend your time trying to provide a definition. No-one will argue with you that laptops are mobile. Just as no-one will argue that anything that isn't nailed down isn't mobile. But you can't then throw two words together and create an arguement when there IS and accepted industry definition.
@credo
Here you go. "Its a piece of s###".
@newone
You don;t actually expect people at Apple to READ ANYTHING that is not originated by themselves do you. Apple, in case you dod not know, invented:
- the computer
- the phone
- dogs and cats
- software (although they can;t write it).
- water
- music
- Apple (even though The Beatles owned the company called Apple)
- anything else that suits them.
I dont get it??? If you all hate Apple so much why do you read the review? I must admit i am an Apple fan but the iPad was hardly re-inventing the wheel. However still i read what i want to read. I am able to look through information and think for my self if i want to read it or not if i dont like some thing then idont read it simple. Are you that small minded that only your view can be expressed?? Im not a windows fan as are others but i dont feel the need to go on every article relating to it and sit for hours complaining that it is different to what i like as iif no one else is allowed to formulate there view. Come on have a little more about you. There is a hole world out there. Why not why not find some thing else to do and stop boring us all with crap comments. If you dont like the site then either build your own or stop coming on it but for good sake give it a rest before people start taking there own lives due to your bad crack.
@Atkins Does engadgetmobile cover Laptops?
@Atkins
"Many people are claiming that there is some widely accepted industry approved definition of "mobile devices" which excludes laptops."
How about Mobile World Congress, a yearly event for "Mobiles", which gives out "Global Mobile Awards". The congress is a really big yearly industry event for cellular phone manufacturers. There aren't laptop manufacturers there. They don't hand the awards to laptops. Clearly a industry approved definition of a "mobile" that excludes laptops.
Award categories: "Mobile Handsets & Devices:", no laptops. "Mobile Entertainment Awards:", no laptops, or laptop games. "Best Mobile Services: " No laptop services. "Best Use of Mobile for Social & Economic Development:" No laptops. "Green Mobile Awards: " No laptops. "Mobile Innovation Awards: " No laptops. "Best Technology Awards:" No laptops. "GSMA Chairman's Award:" , "GSM Customer Growth: " "Best Wireless Application Developer (2002 - 2005): " "Best Consumer Mobile Application or Service (2002-2004): " "Best Marketing & Promotion:", no laptops.
http://www.globalmobileawards.com/history/history.shtml
Clearly a industry accepted definition for "Mobile" that excludes laptops.
@Atkins I'm sorry but seeing as you are the ONLY person who refuses to accept the industy definition (for example, there are countless mobile-centric magazines that do not cover and have never covered anything even closely resembling a laptop) then you are in the wrong. You can argue until the cows come home that by putting mobile and device together you're winning the argument, but you're not. As I stated before, a laptop is a "mobile" "device" not a "mobile device".
So although you're a freaking brick wall of unacceptance, I'll post some links here for you:
http://www.cellular-news.com/story/34195.php
http://analystnews.tekrati.com/firmnews/10226/
http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Mobile_Devices_Research_Service
h ttp://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-193142329.html
h ttp://technmarketing.com/cellphone/top-mobile-device-to-come-preinstalled-with-industry-leading-software/
h ttp://www.tanjuakio.com/joyce/ccit/mobile_device_industry.htm
h ttp://www.enterprisestrategygroup.com/2009/05/laptopmobile-device-encryption-usage-by-industry/
(NOTE: URLs broken to circumvent 3 link posting limit)
Those are just from the first 20 or so links brought up by a google search of "mobile device industry". So it is something that exists. Furthermore, I point you to the last link, which specifically differentiates between laptops and mobile devices. If you want to provide me with evidence that the industry these people are all referring to is a lie, or that laptops are a part of this industry, please be my guest. But you wont, because you can't.
@Atkins
Is my digital watch a mobile device? It adds stuff together like seconds and minutes and (less regularly) hours. It is fully automated. It has battery life that is measure in years. It has a very friendly UI. It can also multitask as it runs a stopwatch without having losing track of what time it is.